People over 55 and those with chronic medical conditions are being encouraged to take advantage of the more than 9,000 free influenza vaccines which have not yet been made use of, in order to help them resist this season's severe strains of the virus.
The Health Division yesterday issued a statement calling on people in high-risk groups, who have not yet taken the jab, to be vaccinated against the influenza virus. Anyone can have it for free at health centres.
Director for Health Promotion and Disease Surveillance Charmaine Gauci said this year there are several strains of influenza that are more severe than last year's.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has reported that a number of countries in the southern and western parts of the EU are reporting cases of influenza above the levels seen in the last two or more seasons. Most of the viruses identified so far in Europe are influenza A (H3N2), the subtype associated with moderately severe influenza.
In Malta, the Health Division also noticed an increased number of complications related to influenza over the last two weeks.
Although the take-up of the influenza vaccine was slightly better than last year, Dr Gauci explained that a higher number of cases were reported because people had not yet taken the vaccine.
"We are seeing more cases of complications due to influenza this season because it is a more severe strain and people who didn't take the vaccine become sick and suffer from complications," she said.
The complications can range from chest infection, bacterial pneumonia and dehydration to the worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.
"It is also very positive that this year's vaccine has a particularly good coverage rate for the strains in circulation," she said.
Dr Gauci urged the public to take the influenza vaccine, especially people over 55 and suffering from chronic medical conditions such as respiratory, heart or renal disease and immune impairment.
Although she could not confirm how many vaccines are left, reliable sources said that there are over 9,000 vaccines still available.
"We urge people who haven't taken it yet to get themselves vaccinated for free at the health centres," said Dr Gauci.